Welcome to Echoing the Sound. You'll find that quite a few things have changed here since the last iteration of the board so be sure to check out the FAQ. This is a completely fresh start - You'll need to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed (and look for the registration email in your spam folder). To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Is the VIP balcony going to be the best place to hear/see the band or should I stick with trying for just regular GA?

So the good news is the VIP balcony gives you access to GA as well, so if you want to head down and don't like the view, you can. The VIP just gives you the ability to go upstairs where there are more bars and a bit of stadium seating if you want to sit for the show. My girlfriend is smaller so we generally head on up so see can see more of the show.

It does... basically a long, concrete, rectangular box. Some bands have enough gear and good enough crew to overcome this, however. I've seen both good shows and really awful ones there.

Sadly, it is one of the few remaining venues in the city (along with Danforth Music Hall, which is great, but somewhat less flexible for big productions) not controlled by the bullshit Live Nation monopolizing machinery. Oh and it's within walking distance of my apartment — so yeah, I'll be there!

I'm glad you were able to snag the tickets. I appreciate all of your advice on the VIP balcony. Maybe we can buy each other a beer?

I will be going solo from the Detroit area. I will probably get to the venue around 6 pm or 7 pm. How important do you think it is to grab a front row seat on the balcony? I wonder if I really need to even get there that early considering all of the HTDA presales (early entry) were for GA.

Last edited by somewhat_; 02-27-2013 at 05:54 PM.
Reason: deleting a bunch of nonsense

I'll be there! I managed to nab 2 presale tickets. I was also wondering what the difference was between the ticketmaster VIP and presale, because, generally, aren't the tickets used for presale the better seats? I mean, it doesn't really make a difference considering all the VIP tickets were GA, but for venues with reserved seating, they would keep the better seats back for presale.
But yeah, my first thought last week when the dates and venues went up was "SOUND ACADEMY? Ugh, vomit..."

Thanks for that Ticketbastard link. I'll be there then.
Is the Sound Academy easily accessible by public transportation? I'll be coming from Montreal and I'm wondering whether to take the bus or the car...

Picked up a couple GA tickets for my wife and I. Looking forward to it! Hope to reconnect with some old ETS friends too (IJD?).

Hopefully sight lines are good. The venue is a flat floor box so might be hard for my wife to see over others' heads (she's shorter and I'm not sure we have any desire to push our way up to the rail ... too old for that now).

Is the Sound Academy easily accessible by public transportation? I'll be coming from Montreal and I'm wondering whether to take the bus or the car...

ennnhhh, depending on where you're starting out you can get there by one (TTC, 72 Pape) bus. If I recall correctly, there is paid parking at the venue. If you can drive, I'd say go for it. I'm not exactly looking forward waiting for the bus to go home afterwards. It's cold down by the lake.

Thanks for that Ticketbastard link. I'll be there then.
Is the Sound Academy easily accessible by public transportation? I'll be coming from Montreal and I'm wondering whether to take the bus or the car...

Public transit isn't great to this venue from what I hear. It's not downtown ... but it looks like there is a way. You'll need to walk about 700m. http://goo.gl/maps/qF1Z2 (updated link)

A cab may also work, but could run you +$20 depending on where you are coming from.

With the car, you'll have to pay for parking (about $20) and you can wait a long time to leave the parking lot (there is only one driveway out and everyone has to leave via the same road/route (the venue is at the end of the road).

Thanks for that Ticketbastard link. I'll be there then.
Is the Sound Academy easily accessible by public transportation? I'll be coming from Montreal and I'm wondering whether to take the bus or the car...

If you're taking Greyhound, I believe they'll drop you off at Yonge/Dundas Terminal. I'm not sure if they can drop you off before the stop but if they do, you'll be much closer.

Perhaps in part due to the hatred of the venue by many folks in the Toronto area. Ranked very poorly on most review sites.

Originally Posted by pequena

I'll be there! I managed to nab 2 presale tickets. I was also wondering what the difference was between the ticketmaster VIP and presale, because, generally, aren't the tickets used for presale the better seats? I mean, it doesn't really make a difference considering all the VIP tickets were GA, but for venues with reserved seating, they would keep the better seats back for presale.

Congrats on getting the pre-sale. Getting in 15 minutes earlier than the rest of us (and getting the tickets cheaper) is a nice perk. I think the Ticketmaster VIP tickets are for the "VIP area" of Sound Academy. There is a 2nd floor area that overlooks the stage and main floor area, but it's off to the one side and I hear the band's sound/light gear often obstructs the view. Could be better than the floor however and I've been told you can come and go between the floor and the VIP area if you've bought those tickets. For all ages shows (which I think this is), I've also read that the VIP area is the only area you can buy/drink alcohol. Could be wrong on that point however. I don't have any personal experience with that.

Got 4 pre-sale tickets here, feeling lucky about it ! Hope we have access to balcony and floor... We are coming down from Montreal,any other people from Québec?? We are thinking about taking Megabus to avoid 6 hours drive... and get drunk on the bus = )

Got 4 pre-sale tickets here, feeling lucky about it ! Hope we have access to balcony and floor... We are coming down from Montreal,any other people from Québec?? We are thinking about taking Megabus to avoid 6 hours drive... and get drunk on the bus = )

Moi. I've thought of Megabus as well but looks like the venue's pretty far from the terminal...